Working with people either choosing to practice self-treatment through the use of natural and holistic means, or to supplement standard medical care with nature's helpers (herbs, vitamins, minerals, homeopathics, etc.) is exceptionally gratifying.
One of the most difficult challenges to convey is exactly how to present this subject in a way that also embraces and includes a holistic view and approach to treating obesity.
To the naturopath and the alternative healer, any unhealthy imbalance in the body, including carrying more weight than is comfortable or desirable, should be viewed as a "whole-body" challenge. In other words, whenever there is an imbalance in one part of the body, it must naturally begin to effect the entire system. This is the way the body is designed. So, to effectively implement rapid weight loss tips, one must look not only at the extra weight but also at the eliminatory system, the glandular system, the emotional state, the sleep patterns, the level of stress and patterns of reaction to stress, the liver, colon, skin, lungs, and blood.
One thing that excites us about pure, therapeutic grade plant-source enzymes (the distinction is an important one, which we will discuss in more depth is their ability to address obesity at a "whole-being" level. Why is it that enzymes have such a broad application?
What is an Enzyme?
Well, let's start with the basics. What is an enzyme? If you are like we were, you may only associate enzymes with digestion. Perhaps you've taken a digestive enzyme formula for indigestion. If it was a good formula, you may have been surprised to see how well it handled gas, bloating, heartburn or indigestion. You may have even used it for a few days, or even a few weeks. Then, perhaps the bottle went back on the shelf or you went back to the antacids that so many people favor. Well, if you associate enzymes with digestion, it's not a bad association as this is one of their primary tasks. However, enzymes do so much more.
According to enzyme specialist, DicQui Fuller, enzymes are defined as "proteins taken from food and made by the body." Enzymes must be present before any chemical reaction can take place in the body. What does this mean? Well, basically, it means that every action our body performs requires enzymes to perform it. Even minerals, herbs, vitamins and hormones cannot do their jobs without enzymes. In short, our body cannot exist without enzymes. If you consider that our body operates from energy derived by foods we take in, then the importance of enzymes to fully digest those foods and make the nutrients available can be seen as vital to our health. We recommend Dr. Fuller's book, The Healing Power of Enzymes.
Enzymes Role in Weight Loss
Enzymes are essential for supporting healthy weight loss. Lipase is an enzyme that is abundant in foods that are raw and since very few of us have a diet rich in raw foods we lack sufficient amounts to burn normal amounts of fat in our diets. When we eat diets rich in fat we really suffer as our body can not burn this extra fat nor turn it to energy. When you have enough Lipase your body is able to break down and dissolve the fat stored throughout the body. Without this vital enzyme fat accumlates and is stored in your arteries, organs, and capillaries. You will see it accumulate on hips, the rear, stomach, and thighs.
Another important enzyme is Protease which is vital for breaking down proteins and the elimination of toxins. If your body is storing toxins it is very difficult to burn fat and fat is where your body stores excess toxins. When you do burn fat toxins are first released back into your system which can cause water retention and also bloating. So a diet rich in protease, or supplementation will help to eliminate toxins which is why these two enzymes are so important when you are using enzymes to lose weight.
Think of your body as a processing unit. If you cannot retrieve enough nutrients from the food you take in, your body receives a signal that it needs to store more fat against the threat of starvation and will hold on to even more fat in reaction. It will also send a signal that you need to take in more food. This can result in a vicious cycle of eating more and more, and still always feeling hungry. The right digestive enzyme formula can stop this kind of triggered response and help your body normalize, as well as helping it stay more healthy.
So why isn't every store in the country selling enzyme formulas for weight loss? Well, our theory is that we don't have the patience to let nature work and so the demand has been for the quick fix. By our actions, we send a message to the weight loss program manufacturers that what we really will buy from them is something that will help us lose 20 pounds before our wedding next month or drop 10 pounds before the high school reunion.
If enough of us sent a message that we want to spend our money as a long term investment in our health and wellness, then you'd see a different kind of weight loss program spring forth. Enzymes for weight loss involve a three week integration period during which the appetite may swing back and forth dramatically, as the body deals with getting so much more from the foods you are eating and may also involve detoxification as the body lets go of rancid fats, putrefied proteins and toxic by-products of incomplete digestion. Then, another three to six weeks are generally required before the renewed energy, naturally occurring weight loss and health benefits of enzymes are recognized. Do we have the patience to be truly well? If so, in our opinion, the right digestive enzymes supplements for weight loss can contribute more to that objective than any other single wellness supplement.
Aren't There Enough Enzymes in the Food I Eat?One question we often get is "Don't I get enough enzymes in the foods I eat?" Well, if you eat 100 fresh raw foods then you get enough to digest those foods. If you eat cooked foods you should realize that they have zero enzymes. This means your body must take much needed metabolic enzymes that it would have used for healthy elimination and assimilation of vitamins, minerals, and regeneration of cells and tissues and use those enzymes to digest the cooked foods.
Enzymes will over time will restore your energy and build stamina more than any other single supplement and this is another reason why they are so very helpful for weight loss. Also, if you are like most people who encounter stress, lack of frequent exercise, drink foods that have been irridated, don't get enough sleep, and eat foods with additives your body is enzyme compromised.
There are specific considerations when choosing your enzyme supplement and, for weight maintenance, in particular.
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